Life in the performing arts was almost sidelined by a neck injury that could have left the patient in this video paralyzed. The patient needed what is called an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, also known as an ACDF. It’s a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck. Facing such a serious surgery, the patient turned to Top US Spine Surgeon, Dr. Hooman Melamed, and is glad he did. In this video, the patient explains how he’s two years out from his surgery and finding lasting relief. 

Transcript:

I'm in the, I was in the performing arts field and i was having some pain it was going down the shoulder i couldn't even put my hand behind my back and one of the doctors in Dr Lobian's office said that it could be from the neck. The discs were inflamed or and i needed uh i may need surgery and so i was referred to Dr Melamed thank goodness because he saw it immediately, and I said I needed to have an acdf, which it took me a month just to memorize what that was but immediately it was a wonderful experience. I said what would happen if i didn't choose the surgery because he said it was it was my decision. What happens if i don't have the surgery I asked him. He said you could be the next Christopher Reeves if you get a sudden jolt and I am so glad I did it, and right now I am, I, this is my two-year checkup. I'm literally pain-free and there's some things but nothing that is of any danger or concern, and his attention and concern for detail and the way he did what he did i will always remember and always appreciate.